Final answer:
Sepsis is the most common cause for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with bacterial pneumonia accounting for about half of all sepsis cases that lead to ARDS.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common cause for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is sepsis. ARDS involves severe inflammation and accumulation of fluid in the alveoli, leading to significant breathing difficulties and low oxygen levels in the blood. Sepsis, which is a widespread infection that can lead to systemic inflammation, is the leading risk factor for ARDS development.
Specifically, bacterial pneumonia, a type of severe lung infection, accounts for about half of all cases of sepsis that result in ARDS. Other risk factors for ARDS can include direct lung injury from inhaled toxic substances or conditions such as pneumothorax, but these are less common than sepsis as a cause.